Inquiry concerning reports that Jews are being mistreated in the Dominican Republic brought forth expressions of surprise from the Dominican Legation here today.

Legation officials stated that as far as they knew the reports were unfounded. They also declared that the Dominican Republic is inhabited by few, if any, Jews.

Questioned whether any disturbances had been reported to the Legation from Santo Domingo, officials answered that “our country is a peaceful country. No, we have heard of no disturbances.” Nazi activities had not been heard of in the Dominican Republic, they said. Legation officials also declared that the German influence in that country amounts to practically nothing as there are very few Germans there.

Recent dispatches from Havana stated that a Jew, Chaim Reber, who fled from Santo Domingo, arrived in Havana with the news that 11 Jews had been arrested on the charge that they had come to Santo Domingo to overthrow General Trujillo, local dictator. Nineteen others are being sought by the police and all will be deported to Haiti.